Page 26 - The Golden Age

THE GOLDEN AGE

Greening the Deserts
Another sign of the End Time's abundance is the greening of the
world's deserts. This development's significance can be better under-
stood if we consider that deserts make up 43 percent of all land. Today,
the constant water supply to deserts makes agricultural production pos-
sible in even most barren locations. Applying technology to deserts will
provide drought-hit countries on the edge of starvation with fertile land.
Computer-monitored irrigation systems that divert water directly
to plant roots and prevent even a single drop of water from going to
waste will allow agricultural production in deserts. Purifying and then
using all forms of water are also important for desert agriculture.
Treated flood and sea water will provide ample amounts of water, form
the basis of agricultural technology, and be a great gain for the coun-
tries' economy. Our Prophet (saas) referred to the productive use of
water, as follows:
Both the good and the evil members of the Ummah will be blessed with a bless-
ing the like of which they will have never heard. Despite the abundance of
rain, not a drop will go waste; the land will become fruitful without a
single seed. 10

The High Cost of Living and Poverty Will End
As the Golden Age will be a time of welfare and great wealth, all
people will receive more than they demand. Nothing will be measured
or counted. However, the high cost of living and poverty are the main
features of the earlier periods of the End Times, for the poor will be-
come poorer while the rich will become richer. This feature is also em-
phasized in a hadith, as follows: Poverty will spread. 11
Allah sends starvation and poverty to warn people who are far re-
moved from religion. If such people had faith, they would find relief
from the great troubles and hardships that they meet throughout their
lives. Indeed, Allah grants great wealth, happiness, and welfare to
Muslims who have faith in Him and earnestly serve His cause, while
He sends trouble and suffering to unbelievers in return for their disbe-
lief. When people become ungrateful, Allah takes back their blessings

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